Orkin’s Top 50 Rattiest Cities Include 5 In NY

Every fall, Orkin releases a list of the top 50 cities with the highest rat population in the United States. This year NY State lands 5 cities on that list.

First off, no New York City is not number one. That distinction goes to Chicago for the third consecutive year.

New York City is actually #2, and there are four more from NY.

Here they are along with their ranking:

30. Buffalo

36. Albany-Schenectady

39. Rochester

45. Syracuse

Orkin says fall is the beginning of rodent season and it's about the time that mice and rats start to look for food, shelter and warmth to get through the winter.

“Rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter, while mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime. Even if they can’t find an opening, they can often chew their way in.”

Yes it's a terrible thought, but Orkin has some useful tips to help people avoid the health and safety risks that come along with rodents.

Inspect both inside and outside the home for rodent droppings, burrows and rub marks along baseboards and walls. The more quickly rodents are detected, the better.

Look for possible entry points outside the home and seal cracks and holes if any are found. Think, “where would YOU hide or enter if you were a rodent?” It’ll be hidden, dark, probably warm, and difficult to reach!

Install weather strips around entryways, especially under doors, to help block rodents from sneaking inside.